Signs to Go to the Emergency Room After Taking the Abortion Pill

The Abortion Pill Process

The abortion pill ends and expels an early pregnancy using two drugs in sequence. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone to end the pregnancy.

Medline Plus lists the side effects of mifepristone as vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramps, pelvic pain, headache, and vaginal burning, itching, or discharge. However, the heaviest cramping and vaginal bleeding happen after the second drug, misoprostol.

While all of this is to be expected, there are serious warning signs that require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, go to the emergency room right away and do not wait.

Warning Signs That Require Emergency Care

• Heavy bleeding: soaking through two or more pads per hour for two or more hours in a row
• Blood clots larger than the size of a lemon
• Intense or worsening pain in your stomach or pelvic area 
• A fever that lasts more than four hours, or one that develops in the days after taking misoprostol
• Chills or body aches
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Still Figuring Things Out? We’re Here to Help.

If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant and are still searching for answers, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

North Care Women’s Clinic in Lansdale, PA, offers free, confidential appointments for pregnancy confirmation.

If you have taken the abortion pills and are not experiencing any of the above symptoms, but just want to be screened for signs of infection and talk about your experience, contact North Care to schedule a post-abortion assessment.

You’ll also receive medically accurate information about all of your options and have time to ask questions. We’re here to listen as you process your situation and test results.

Taking your pregnancy one step at a time starts with knowing where you stand. Schedule your free appointment today.

All abortion information cited in this blog is accurate at the time of writing.

North Care Women’s Clinic does not refer for or provide abortions.

References

1. Mifepristone (Mifeprex). (2026 February 5). Medline Plus
2. Medical Abortion – (2024, June 28). Mayo Clinic.